Complications of an Enlarged Prostate

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As the prostate gland gets progressively enlarged causing progressively more obstruction, the following complications may result:

1. Acute retention of urine (ARU):

When this happens, the man will suddenly be unable to pass urine.  As the bladder gets progressively filled up with more urine, the pressure within the bladder can cause quite a lot of distress and pain. When the prostate gland is enlarged and is causing some degree of obstruction to urinary flow, certain conditions can tip the balance to result in ARU.

For example:
• Constipation: stools in the intestines can cause added pressure to the already obstructed urethra

• After surgery

• Being confined to bed for whatever reason

• If urine is held in the bladder for too long: Holding on to urine for too long (such as during travelling) sometimes leads to ARU

• Drugs: diuretics, codeine containing drugs (such as certain cough syrups) etc

2. Chronic retention of urine:

In chronic retention, the bladder may gradually fill up to be many times its normal size, over a period of months or years.  As this is generally painless, men are generally unaware of this happening, until the overfull bladder starts to leak urine.  This condition is referred to as "overflow incontinence".  Chronic increased back pressure can eventually damage the kidneys.

3. Urinary tract infections:

Disruption of normal urine flow makes infections of the urinary tract more likely.

4. Stone formation:

Disruption of normal urine flow and stasis provide the correct environment for crystalization and formation of stones.

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